AC/DC's Malcolm Young ill, 'taking a break' from band

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Photos:Aussie rock legends AC/DC

AC/DC has been one of the hardest-rocking -- and longest-lasting -- bands on the scene. The group formed in 1973 in Sydney, Australia. Here's a look back at the rockers through the years:

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Photos:Aussie rock legends AC/DC

The band hangs out with their manager Michael Browning, right, in 1976.

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Photos:Aussie rock legends AC/DC

Angus Young sits on Bon Scott's shoulders while performing at the Town Hall in St. Albans, England, in 1976. Young is known for performing in a schoolboy uniform.

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Photos:Aussie rock legends AC/DC

AC/DC performs at the Kursaal Ballroom in England in 1977.

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Photos:Aussie rock legends AC/DC

Left to right: Phillip Rudd, Angus Young, Mark Evans, Malcolm Young and Bon Scott pose for a photo in 1977. Scott, who was the lead singer of the band in the '70s, died in 1980.

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Photos:Aussie rock legends AC/DC

Angus Young performs in Chicago in 1979.

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Photos:Aussie rock legends AC/DC

Devoted fans wait in the cold and snow to buy tickets for AC/DC's Denver show in 1982.

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Photos:Aussie rock legends AC/DC

The band poses for a photo at a bar in Rhode Island in 1985.

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Photos:Aussie rock legends AC/DC

AC/DC performs at the Nassau Coliseum in Uniondale, New York, in 1986.

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Photos:Aussie rock legends AC/DC

Brian Johnson and Angus Young perform in Leiden, Netherlands, in 1991. Johnson took over as lead singer and sang on AC/DC's biggest hits, including "Back in Black" and "You Shook Me All Night Long."

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Photos:Aussie rock legends AC/DC

The "Hells Bells" bell is seen on stage at an AC/DC concert in 2000.

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Photos:Aussie rock legends AC/DC

Steven Tyler of Aerosmith, center, poses with AC/DC at the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame induction ceremony in 2003.

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Photos:Aussie rock legends AC/DC

The band shoots the video for their song "Rock 'n' Roll Train" in London in 2008. The group's 2008 album "Black Ice" was the second-biggest album of the year, with 6 million sold.

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Photos:Aussie rock legends AC/DC

Angus Young performs with the band onstage in Melbourne in 2010.

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Story highlights

AC/DC rhythm guitarist Malcolm Young is ill, says the band

61-year-old guitarist is "taking a break," but the band will continue

Rumors have swirled about AC/DC's future

Band is one of top sellers of all time

AC/DC rhythm guitarist Malcolm Young is ill and is "taking a break," the band posted on its website Wednesday.

But the hugely popular group will continue, AC/DC said in the statement.

"After forty years of life dedicated to AC/DC, guitarist and founding member Malcolm Young is taking a break from the band due to ill health. Malcolm would like to thank the group's diehard legions of fans worldwide for their never-ending love and support," the statement said.

"In light of this news, AC/DC asks that Malcolm and his family's privacy be respected during this time. The band will continue to make music."

Young, 61, formed the group in 1973 in Sydney, Australia, with his brother Angus. The statement did not reveal what his illness was, though rumors have swirled since an e-mail was sent to a Perth, Australia, radio station earlier this week.

Mark Gable, a fellow musician, told Australia's ABC Radio that Malcolm Young "is sick. ... It's not just that he is unwell, it's that it is quite serious." Gable's remarks were reported in the Sydney Morning Herald.

The hard-rocking group, whose albums include the multimillion-selling "Back in Black" and "For Those About to Rock (We Salute You)," quickly rose in the music world thanks to their terse riffs and tireless touring. Lead guitarist Angus Young, then and now, is known for wearing a schoolboy uniform on stage.

Bon Scott, who sang lead for the band in the '70s, died in 1980 just as "Highway to Hell" became AC/DC's breakthrough album. He was replaced by Brian Johnson, who sang on AC/DC's biggest chart hits, including "You Shook Me All Night Long" and "Thunderstruck."

The group has continued putting out million-sellers to the present day. AC/DC's most recent studio album, "Black Ice" (2008), debuted at No. 1 in 29 countries -- including the United States -- sold 6 million copies and produced the Grammy-winning track "War Machine." It was the second biggest-selling album of the year.

Malcolm Young's guitar has been a major part of the AC/DC sound -- a sound often slammed by rock critics but beloved by fans of hard rock and heavy metal. Other guitarists, including Megadeth's Dave Mustaine, rank him highly.

Young has said he's proud of the band's straightforward, powerhouse crunch.

"People can go out and hear R.E.M. if they want deep lyrics, but at the end of the night, they want to go home and get f*****! That's where AC/DC comes into it," he once said.

AC/DC is one of the biggest-selling bands in music history, ranking 10th on the Recording Industry of America list with more than 70 million albums sold.